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The Joe Rogan ExperienceThe Joe Rogan Experience

Joe Rogan Experience #1351 - Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd, CM OOnt is a Canadian-American actor, producer, comedian, musician and filmmaker who was an original member of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on Saturday Night Live.

Joe RoganhostDan Aykroydguest
Sep 13, 20192h 20mWatch on YouTube ↗

CHAPTERS

  1. 0:02 – 2:16

    Niagara tightrope stunts and podcast juggling (with oranges and knives)

    Joe and Dan kick off with a wild story about a famed tightrope walker crossing Niagara Falls while carrying his manager and cooking breakfast mid-span. The banter sets the tone: Dan’s rapid-fire storytelling, humor, and love of odd historical feats.

  2. 2:16 – 3:29

    Niagara Falls lore: deaths, daredevils, and local history

    The conversation stays on Niagara, shifting from spectacle to grim statistics and folklore. Dan describes deaths at the falls, survival attempts, and a story about Indigenous people harvesting animals washed downriver.

  3. 3:29 – 11:58

    Crystal Head Vodka: design, purity claims, and “no additives” pitch

    Dan transitions into his vodka brand and explains the crystal-skull bottle design as a symbol of purity. He details the production story—Canadian ingredients, Newfoundland water, filtration, and the brand’s global growth—while Joe reacts to the taste and salesmanship.

  4. 11:58 – 18:47

    The crystal skulls themselves: origin stories vs. museum skepticism

    Joe presses Dan on the mythology and contested authenticity of crystal skull artifacts. Dan lays out the “13 skulls” legend, famous examples like the Mitchell-Hedges skull, and the Smithsonian position that many were modern carvings.

  5. 18:47 – 26:08

    Why experts dismiss UFO claims: Neil deGrasse Tyson, professionalism, and evidence standards

    The discussion broadens into how scientific and institutional incentives shape skepticism. Dan argues that prominent science communicators can’t publicly entertain abduction narratives, while Joe emphasizes the lack of hard evidence beyond testimony.

  6. 26:08 – 28:39

    Abduction research and 1950s UFO waves: John Mack, headlines, and Washington 1952

    Dan recounts attending a John Mack lecture with abductees and shares how audiences split on whether they’d repeat the experience. He then introduces Bruce Maccabee’s compilation of 1952 reports and the famous Washington, D.C. sightings as a mass-witness event.

  7. 28:39 – 35:24

    Nukes, Roswell theories, triangle craft, and Bob Lazar credibility clash

    Joe and Dan speculate on whether nuclear events drew attention and examine competing UFO narratives. They debate Roswell causes, discuss triangle/Delta craft reports, and spend significant time on Bob Lazar—Joe defending Lazar’s demeanor and Dan leaning toward belief.

  8. 35:24 – 1:06:42

    Dan’s personal UFO origin story: family influence, multiple sightings, and a canceled Syfy show

    Dan explains how his mother’s 1947 sighting sparked his lifelong interest, then recounts several vivid personal sightings (Martha’s Vineyard, Montreal hotel, motorcycle encounter, and a ‘pink spiral’ night). He also claims his Syfy interview series was abruptly canceled the day he booked major UFO guests.

  9. 1:06:42 – 1:14:43

    Ghostbusters roots: family séances, mediums, and the Fox sisters’ spiritualism boom

    Dan links his paranormal upbringing directly to writing Ghostbusters, describing family séances and long-running mediumship. The conversation turns to the Fox sisters, spiritualism’s rise, and how confession/recantation cycles complicate claims of paranormal “proof.”

  10. 1:14:43 – 1:34:22

    Cannabis, terpenes, psychedelics, and Joe’s DMT framework for “entities”

    Dan says he’s allergic to cannabis terpenes but supports cannabinoids, then the topic shifts to psychedelics. Joe explains why DMT experiences changed his thinking—especially the recurring “entity” encounters—and they compare this to dream states, religion, and neurochemistry.

  11. 1:34:22 – 1:45:33

    Cars as passion: muscle cars, sleepers, Teslas, and iconic design eras

    The show pivots into automotive obsession: Joe’s love for 1960s muscle and Dan’s eclectic collection. They compare old design eras, modern performance (Tesla acceleration), and how tastes and car culture shifted with ridesharing and technology.

  12. 1:45:33 – 1:57:25

    Hollywood talk: Tarantino praise, new Ghostbusters plans, and legacy comedy

    Dan raves about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and predicts awards success, praising the cast and craft. Joe shifts to the Ghostbusters franchise: the 2016 reboot, production tensions, and the newer film effort tied to the original continuity and cast participation.

  13. 1:57:25 – 2:04:11

    Haunted houses and a famous “something got into bed with me” ghost story

    Dan describes living in Mama Cass’ former LA estate and experiencing ongoing paranormal activity—culminating in a night where he felt a visible mattress depression and a “form” beside him. Joe interrogates the details, while Dan adds that California real estate disclosure can require reporting unusual activity.

  14. 2:04:11 – 2:20:03

    Sasquatch, cryptids, and the limits of belief: legends, evidence, and personal thresholds

    Joe challenges Dan’s Bigfoot certainty, arguing the evidence is weak and that misidentification is common. They explore why the idea persists—Indigenous naming traditions, plausible extinct hominids, modern wilderness scale—before ending on mutual respect for belief and skepticism.

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